Korean J Med.
2013 Nov;85(5):457-462.
Allergic Rhinitis and Comorbidities
- Affiliations
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- 1Department of Internal Medicine, Hallym University College of Medicine, Chuncheon, Korea. mdqueen@hallym.or.kr
Abstract
- Allergic rhinitis (AR) is a symptomatic disorder of the nose based on chronic allergic inflammation. AR is a global health problem that causes major illness and disability and inadequately treated, of which prevalence is about 20% of general population. In general, AR is rarely found in isolation and has been associated with numerous comorbidities, including bronchial asthma, allergic conjunctivitis, otitis media with effusion, sinusitis with polyp, chronic cough, adenoid hypertrophy and consequent sleep disturbance. In particular, coexistence of AR and asthma is a common feature, suggesting the concept of 'one airway, one disease'. Poorly controlled AR can develop or trigger exacerbations of these comorbidities because they often share pathophysiologic pathways in common with AR. Thus, AR should be regarded as a spectrum of systemic disease and treatment requires a systemic approach with considering its comorbidities.
